Coating compositions comprising a mixture of a polyester and aminoplast

ABSTRACT

Coating compositions resistant to yellowing, solvents, acids and alkalies having the combination of a high elasticity and good hardness are produced by using a mixture of A. AN AMINOPLAST AND B. A POLYESTER HAVING AN AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF BETWEEN 600 AND 3,000 OF I. an alcohol mixture which contains 1,4bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and another aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol, and II. an acid mixture of one or more cyclic dicarboxylic acids and one or more acyclic dicarboxylic acids or functional acid derivatives thereof.

United States Patent Riemhofer et al. 51 June 6, I972 [54] COATING COMPOSITIONS 591 References Cited COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF A UNITED STATES PATENTS POLYESTER AND Al I NOPLAST 2,683,100 7/ 1954 Edgar et a] ..260/850 [72] Inventors: Franz Riemhofer; Walter Dittmann; Uwe ,466 8/1959 Ki er et a /7 Bethian; Karl-Heinz Hornung; Ernst- 3,261,812 7/1966 Bell et a1 ..260/75 Christian Schutze, all of Marl, Germany 3,476,697 1 1/1969 Clements ..260/850 [73] Assignee: fI|;errInigcel:l:Vne;-ke Huls Aktiengesellschaft, Pfimary Examiner john C Bleutge Attorney-l. William Millen and Raptes & White [22] Filed: Oct. 2:9 1969 21 Appl. No.: 868,926 [57] ABSTRACT Coating compositions resistant to yellowing, solvents, acids [30] Foreign Application Priority Data and alkalies having the combination of a high elasticity and good hardness are produced by using a mixture of Oct. 25, I968 Germany "P 18 05 190.6 a anaminoplast and b. a polyester having an average molecular weight of [52] US. Cl. ..260/850, 1 17/132 BF, 117/161 K, between 600 and 00 f 117/161 260/31-6 260/328 260/334 I. an alcohol mixture which contains l,4-bis(hydrox- 260/336 260/33'8 260/39 260/40 ymethyl)cyclohexane and another aliphatic or [51] I t Cl 260/75 260/75 cycloaliphatic diol, and

I}. g u a acid tur o one or o y c dicarboxylic [58] Field of Search ..260/850, 75 acids and one or more acyclic dicarboxylic acids or functional acid derivatives thereof.

COATING COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF A POLYESTER AND AMINOPLAST BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to coating compositions containing as the binder a mixture comprising an aminoplast and a polyester.

It is known from German Pat. No. 1,015,165 that coatings can be produced by curing a mixture of a phthalic acid fumaric acid propylene glycolpolyester and a butylated melamine-formaldehyde resin. The thus-obtained varnish films exhibit a low chemical resistance. It is also known from German Pat. No. 1,015,165 that coatings having an extraordinary chemical resistance are obtained when an alkylated melamine-formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde condensation product are combined with a linear polyester produced by the polyesterification of a dicarboxylicacid with a diol of the formula wherein A represents a 2-alkylidene radical of three to four carbon atoms, R is an alkylene radical of two to three carbon atoms, 7' m and n each represent at least 1, and the sum of m and n is no larger than 3. Although the coatings obtained are hard, they are very brittle, as shown in Comparative Example 1 below.

In US. Pat. No. 2,460,186, polyesters of 2-ethyl-hexanediol-l,3 are described as plasticizers of exceptional value for use with urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde condensation products. These coatings, although flexible and impact resistant, are relatively soft, as shown in Comparative Example 2.

As shown in Comparative Examples 3 and 4, other mixtures of linear polyesters and a melamine-forrnaldehyde resin produce coatings which, although flexible, are too soft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, coating compositions having high elasticity and good hardness are produced by the use of an aminoplast-polyester mixture as a binder in which the linear polyesters have an average molecular weight of between 600 and 3,000 and are produced by the esterification of I. an alcohol mixture consisting of 1. less than 70 and at least 30 molar percent preferably 60-40 molar percent, of l,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)- cyclohexane, and

2. more than 30 and up to 70 molar percent, preferably 40-60 molar percent, of one or more aliphatic or other cycloaliphatic diols whose hydroxyl functions are separated by two to eight carbon atoms and up to two carbon atoms of which are substituted by oxygen atoms, the latter being separated from each other by at least two carbon atoms, and

II. an acid mixture consisting of I. 91-33 molar percent, preferably 75-50 molar percent, of at least one aromatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid or functional acid derivative thereof convertible to an ester of the alcohol mixture, and

2. 9-67 molar percent, preferably 25-50 molar percent, of at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid of four to 12 carbon atoms, or functional acid derivative thereof convertible to an ester of the alcohol mixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Aminoplast Component Aminoplasts are a conventional component in coating compositions. Many of these have the formula -NI-I-CH,-OR wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of one to four carbon atoms and the unsatisfied valence is an organic moiety. Examples are the condensation products of aldehydes, particularly formaldehyde, with several aminoor amide-group-carrying substances, such as, for example, with melamine, urea, N,N'- ethyleneurea, dicyanodiamide, and benzoguanamine. There can also be used polymers having the structure of copolymerizates into which is polymerized an amide of an aethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having N-methyloland/or N-methylol-ether groups, for example, such polymers which are obtained following the methods described in the US. Pat. No. 2,940,944, and the German Pat. Nos. 1,060,596, 1,083,548 and 1,089,549.

Reaction products of polymers containing hydroxyl groups and alkoxymethyl isocyanates can also be utilized. Mixtures of such products are also suitable.

Especially advantageous are the aminoplasts which are modified with alcohols, preferably alkanols of one to four carbon atoms. In place of these resinous products, it is possible to employ with equally good success precursors of aminoplasts, e.g., hexamethylol melamine, dimethylol urea, optionally in the etherified form, for example, hexamethoxymethyl melamine, hexabutoxymethyl melamine, dimethoxymethyl urea, dibutoxymethyl urea, etc. Particularly preferred are the alcohol-modified animoplasts. Likewise suitable are the lowmolecular weight precursors of aminoplasts, such as, for example, dimethylol urea, tetramethylol benzoguanamine, trimethylol melamine or hexamethylol melamine, which can also be employed in a partially or entirely etherified form, for example as dimethoxymethyl urea, tetrakis(methoxymethyl)benzogua.namine, tetrakis(ethoxymethyl)benzoguanamine or polyethers of hexamethylol melamine, such as hexakis( methoxymethyl)melamine or hexakis(butoxymethyl)melamine.

Thus, a wide variety of commercially available aminoplasts can be used for combining with the special linear polyesters of the present invention. For more details regarding the aminoplasts which can be used, reference is made to Organic Protective Coatings, Von Fischer and Bobaleck, i953, Reinhold, pages 210-225; Lackkunstharze," by H. Wagner and H. F. Sarx, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, 4th Edition, 1959, pages 60-74. Of course, it is also possible to use mixtures of all the above N-methylol products. In general then, any compound of the formula NHCH -O-R can be used wherein R represents hydrogen or alkyl or one to four carbon atoms, and the unsatisfied nitrogen valence is attached to an organic moiety capable of incorporation into a film and which does not interfere with the curing reaction.

It is also possible to add the polyesters to be employed in accordance with the invention to the charge prior to or during the preparation of the aminoplast resins from substances containing several amino and/or amido groups, such as, e.g., urea, benzoguanamine or melamine, and aldehydes, such as, for example, formaldehyde. In this connection, it is, of course, likewise possible to employ concomitantly and additionally customary alcohols for the modification of the thus-formed plasticized aminoplast resins. The methods for the production of such plasticized amino-aldehyde resins for solvent-containing as well as aqueous varnish systems are known; a plurality of suitable operating directives can be found in the literature (see, for example, Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], 4th Edition, Vol. 14/2, pp. 319 et seq., Georg Thieme Publishers, Stuttgart, 1963, or Ullmanns Encyclopaedie der technischen Chemie" [Ullmanns Encyclopedia of Technical Chemistry], 3rd Edition, Vol. 3, pp. 475 et seq., Urban & Schwarzenberg, Munich, 1953). For purposes of combining with the polyesters employed in accordance with the invention, a plurality of commercial aminoplasts or the defined precursors thereof are available.

B. Polyester Component The polyester component is a mixture of polyesters having a weight average molecular weight between 600 and 3,000 produced by the esterification of an alcohol mixture and an acid mixture as defined below. Preferred are those having a molecular weight between 1,000 and 2,500.

Coating compositions exhibiting particularly good properties are obtained with polyesters containing predominantly terminal hydroxy groups, i.e., those produced with a molar excess of the alcohol mixture over the acid mixture, e.g., those having a hydroxyl number of 35 to 180, preferably 40 to l 10 KOH/g, and an acid number of 1 to 7 preferably 2 to 5 mg. KOH/g.

The polyesters are produced by the esterification of an alcohol mixture and an acid mixture as defined hereinafter.

1. Alcohol Mixture The alcohol mixture used to form the polyester component of the coating compositions contains a mixture of diols.

1. l ,4-bis(hydroxymethyl )cyclohexane The alcohol mixture consists of less than 70 but at least 30 molar percent, preferably 60-40 molar percent, of 1,4- bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, which can be present in its trans or cis configuration or as a mixture of both forms.

2. Other diol The remainder of the alcohol mixture consists of more than 30 and up to 70 molar percent, preferably 40-60 molar percent, of one or more aliphatic or other cycloaliphatic diols whose hydroxyl functions are separated by two to eight carbon atoms and up to two carbon atoms of which are substituted by oxygen atoms, which are separated from each other by at least two carbon atoms.

The l,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane can be present in its trans or cis configuration, or as a mixture of both forms.

Examples of diols which can be present in the alcohol mixture along with the l,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane are acyclic aliphatic diols, e.g., ethylene glycol, l,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-l ,3-propanediol, 2,3- propanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2ethylhexanedioll ,3, cycloaliphatic diols, e.g., 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, l,2-bis(hydroxymethyl )cyclohexane, l,3-bis( hydroxymethyl )cyclohexane, x,8bis-( hydroxymethyl )tricyclo-[ 5.2.1 .0'--]-decane wherein x represents 3,4 or 5; diols containing one or more oxygen atoms in the chain, e.g., diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol or tripropylene glycol. In general, these diols contain two to 18, preferably two to 12 carbon atoms. Cycloaliphatic diols can be employed in their cis or trans configuration or as a mixture of both forms.

II. Acid Mixture The acid mixture used to form the polyester component of the coating composition of this invention consists essentially of a mixture of a cyclic dicarboxylic acid component and an acyclic dicarboxylic acid component.

i. Cyclic Acid Component The acid mixture contains 91-31, preferably 75-50, e.g., 67-50, molar percent of one or more aromatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids or their functional acid derivatives.

Examples for suitable aromatic and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids are phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, hexahydroterephthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, hexahydroisophthalic acid, as well as endomethyleneand endoethylene-tetrahydrophthalic acid, hexachloroendomethylenetetrahydrophthalic acid or tetrabromophthalic acid. The cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids can be employed in their trans or cis configuration or as a mixture of both forms. The use of dicarboxylic acids wherein the carboxyl groups are arranged in the 1,2- or in the 1,3-position is preferred. Especially preferred are those dicarboxylic acids, wherein the carboxyl groups are arranged in the 1,2- position. Of these, phthalic acid and hexahydrophthalic acid are especially preferred.

In general, the cyclic dicarboxylic acids contain eight to 12 carbon atoms, preferably eight to carbon atoms. The carbocyclic dicarboxylic acids are preferred, especially the monocyclic carboxylic, e.g., wherein the ring is a benzene, cyclohexane or bridged cyclohexane ring.

ii. Acyclic Acid Component The acid mixture contains 9-67, preferably 25-50, e.g., 33-50, molar percent of one or more acyclic dicarboxylic acids containing four to 12 carbon atoms or their functional acid derivatives.

Particularly suitable aliphatic dicarboxylic acids are succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, decanedicarboxylic acid and 2,2,4-trimethyladipic acid. Although one can use unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, such as, for example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid or citraconic acid, saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, e.g., of four to six carbon atoms are preferred, particularly adipic acid.

In place of the cyclic and/or acyclic dicarboxylic acids themselves, it is possible and often preferable to use a functional acid derivative thereof. For example, instead of the free dicarboxylic acids, esters thereof with lower-alkanols can also be employed, e.g., the dimethyl, diethyl or dipropyl ester. The anhydrides of the dicarboxylic acids can likewise be employed, e.g., phthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, succinic anhydride, glutaric anhydride and maleic anhydride. Of the anhydrides, phthalic anhydride is preferred.

Preferably, when ethylene glycol is used, 75-60 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 25-40 molar percent of the cyclic acid component is used. When 1,2-propanediol is used, 67-50 and 33-50 molar percents, respectively, are preferably employed. When diethylene glycol is used, 85-70 and 15-30 molar percents, respectively, are preferably employed. When dipropylene glycol is employed, -60 and 20-40 molar percents, respectively, are preferably employed.

POLYESTER PRODUCT lON The polyesters can be produced according to convention and customary processes, e.g., with or without a catalyst, with or without the introduction of an inert gas stream, as solution condensation in a solvent, as a melt condensation or azeotropic esterification, at temperatures of up to 250 C., or higher so that the water or alkanol produced by the exterification is continuously removed. The esterification takes place almost quantitatively and can be followed by measuring the hydroxyl and acid numbers. Normally the esterification conditions are selected so that the reaction is as complete as possible, i.e., until the acid number in case of polyester changes [batches] of n mols of diol and (nl) mols of dicarboxylic acid is smaller than 5 mg. KOH/g. In case of charges of n mols of diol and (n+1) mols of dicarboxylic acid the esterification is continued until the hydroxylic number is below 5 mg. KOH/g. The molecular weight of the polyester can be regulated in a simple manner by way of the charging ratio of diol and dicarboxylic acid.

The esterification temperature is selected so that the losses of readily volatile substances remain small, i.e., during at least the first period of the esterification, the process is conducted at a temperature below the boiling point of the lowest-boiling starting substance.

When producing the polyesters, it must be kept in mind that the molecular weight of the polyester as well as the composition thereof affect the properties of the varnish films prepared therefrom. At high average molecular weights, the hardness of the varnish film is, in general, reduced whereas the elasticity increases. At lower molecular weights, the flexibility of the varnish film is decreased and the hardness increases. Differences in the composition of the polyester have similar effects: With a higher proportion of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and with a longer chain length of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, the elasticity of the varnish film increases, whereas its hardness is decreased. Conversely, with an increasing proportion of aromatic and/or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids in the polyester, the varnish film becomes harder and less flexible. A similar influence is exerted by the acyclic diols employed. With an increasing chain length of the open-chain diols which are employed, and with a rising proportion of these diols in the polyester, the varnish film becomes softer and more flexible. However, when employing diols having short and branched carbon chains or cycloaliphatic rings, varnish films prepared from these polyesters normally become harder and less elastic, with an increasing proportion of these diols. Knowing these rules, it is possible without difficulty to select, within the scope of the claimed range, polyesters having optimum properties with respect to the individual purpose for which they are used, and to employ same for the coating compositions of this invention.

Aminoplast-polyester Mixture To produce the coating compositions of this invention, the polyester and the aminoplast or precursor thereof are normally first dissolved in conventional varnish solvents, such as, for example, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl glycol, ethyl glycol acetate, butyl glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, trichloroethylene, or mixtures of various ones of such solvents. It is possible and advisable for economical reasons to also employ additionally more or less large amounts of less polar solvents, e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene or higher-boiling aromatic cuts. The amount of these less polar solvents employed can be selected as desired within the scope of the solu bility of the selected polyesters therein and their compatibility with the aminoplasts which are employed, e.g., up to 80 percent and higher of the total solvent mixture.

When using polyesters having a high acid number, i.e., polyesters containing a significant number of non-esterified carboxyl groups, it is also possible to produce aqueous solutions. This can be done in accordance with conventional and customary techniques (see, for example, W. A. Riese, Loeserfreie Anstrichsysteme [Solvent-Free Coating Systems], Curt R. Vincentz Publishers, Hannover, 1967, pp. 432 et seq.). In this connection, the carboxyl groups are normally neutralized entirely or partially with amines and, optionally water-miscible solvents are simultaneously employed which serve as solubilizers. Of course, when producing aqueous varnish solutions, it is necessary to utilize water-soluble aminoplasts. The hereinabove-defined precursors of the aminoplasts are particularly suitable for this purpose.

The weight ratio of polyester to the aminoplast can vary between 50:50 and 90:10, preferably between 65:35 and 85:15. The ratio which is optimum for the selected end use purpose of the varnishes can be readily determined by a small number of preliminary experiments. Often, by increasing the proportion of aminoplast to polyester, the hardness of the varnish films is increased and the elasticity thereof is lessened, whereas when lowering the aminoplast to polyester proportion, the hardness decreases and the flexibility becomes larger.

The total amount of binder contained in the varnishes can be varied within customary limits, depending on the end-use application.

The varnishes can contain the conventional additives and auxiliary agents, for example pigments, flow agents, and additional other binders, such as, for example, epoxy resins and silicone resins, the latter containing hydroxyl groups.

The thus-obtained varnish is applied and baked at tempera tures of between 100 and 250 C. The cross-linking reactions taking place during this process are catalytically accelerated by means of acids. When using polyesters having a very low acid number, it is thus possible to add acidic substances to the varnish. By the addition of 0.5 percent of p-toluenesulfonic acid (based on the total binder), for example, the cross-linking reaction is greatly accelerated. With the addition of larger amounts of acid, coatings can also be produced which dry at room temperature.

The acid number of the polyester can also be subsequently increased by reacting a polyester low in acid with about l-5 percent of an anhydride of a relatively strong dicarboxylic acid, for example, maleic anhydride; thus, the baking temperatures can be lowered even without the addition of strongly acidic substances.

The coatings produced in accordance with this invention exhibit many good properties. They have a high gloss, can be very well pigmented, and show an excellent resistance against yellowing, as demonstrated by a heat aging treatment of 72 hours at 150 C. When subjecting the coatings to heat aging of 72 hours at 100 C., no visible yellowing can be detected. The coatings are resistant to solvents, e.g., xylene, petroleum ether-benzene mixtures, esters and ketones. Moreover, they exhibit good resistance to acid and alkali. In salt spray tests, tropical condition tests, and tests in the Weather-Ometer, they show an excellent corrosion-protective effect and weatherproofness.

However, the most outstanding property of the coatings of this invention is their combination of great elasticity and high hardness, which is retained even on baking.

The elastic behavior of coatings is usually determined by the Erichsen depression test (in accordance with German Industrial Standard [DIN] 53,156) using as a standard of elasticity, the depression (in mm.) of an enameled sheet metal at which the varnish coating cracks. An essential element of this testing method is that the deformation of the coating takes place slowly (advancement: 0.2 mm./sec.

The impact depression measurement gives an indication of the reaction of the coatings to sudden deformation. This measurement can be conducted, for example, with the impact depression device 226/D of the Erichsen company, Hemer- Sundwig. In this device, a hemisphere having a radius of 10 mm. is suddenly impacted by a falling 8 kg. weight into a metal sheet on the back of the varnish-coated side. By varying the height of the falling weight, the depression can be varied. The impact depression value is the depth (in mm.) of the depression at which the varnish coating cracks. The values given in the examples were obtained in this manner. In several examples, the value is stated to be 5 mm., since the abovedescribed test cannot make a greater depression in the 1 mm. thick deep-drawn metal sheets employed in the test.

As has been set forth in connection with the discussion of the state of the art, and as has been proven by comparative tests, coatings of polyesters and aminoplasts have been conventional which are flexible and also withstand impact stresses. However, these coatings exhibit very low hardness values (according to DIN 53,157). On the other hand, coatings of great hardness are known which, however, exhibit a low elasticity, or none at all, or which, although elastic, have a number of other disadvantages, such as a tendency to yellow and an unsatisfactory solvent resistance. In contrast thereto, the coatings obtained in accordance with the invention exhibit a high elasticity as well as great hardness and do not have any of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

This array of properties opens up a versatile range of applications to the coatings. In addition to being employed for varnishing individual parts exposed to impact stresses, one important aspect is, above all, the varnishing of materials which are postformed for example by punching.

Therefore, the coating compositions of this invention may be used for varnishing or enameling of, e.g., automobile bodies, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.; also they are suited for coil-coating. The coatings produced in accordance with this invention may be applied by different modes, e.g.,

spraying, dipping, brushing and wiping.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the specification and claims in any way whatsoever.

Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and ratios are on a weight basis.

PREPARATION OF THE POLYESTER A mixture of 460.8 g. of l,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)-cyclohexane (3.2 mols), 203.4 g. of ethylene glycol (3.28 mols), 592 g.

of phthalic anhydride (4 mols) and 233.6 g. of adipic acid 1.6 mols) is heated with stirring while passing a small nitrogen stream therethrough, in accordance with the following timetemperature plan: 2 hours at 140 C.; 2 hours at 160 C. 4 hours at 180 C.; 4 hours at 190 C.; 20 hours at 200 C. During this period, a total of 124 g. of water is separated. Thereafter, the agitation is continued for minutes at 200 C., and a vacuum of torr (mm.Hg). The clear, colorless resin exhibits an acid number of 3.7 mg. KOH/g., and a hydroxyl number of 63.8 mg. KOH/g, corresponding to an average molecular weight of 1,660. The polyester is dissolved in a mixture of 8 parts by weight of xylene and 2 parts by weight of ethyl glycol acetate to form a 60 percent solution.

RAISING THE ACID NUMBER OF A POLYESTER 1.2 percent of maleic anhydride (based on the pure polyester) is added to the melt of a polyester having a low acid number. After the added anhydride has been completely dissolved, the reaction mixture is heated for 1 hour to 120 C., whereby the acid number of the polyester is increased by 8.56 mg. KOH/g.

The step of raising the acid number of a polyester is normally conducted in the melt. However, no difficulties are presented in conducting the same reaction in the solution of the polyester under the above-mentioned reaction conditions. Care must be taken that the solvent does not contain any functional groups which can also react with the acid anhydride under the indicated reaction conditions.

A. Preparation OfA Varnish The solutions of the polyesters in suitable solvents, normally a mixture of xylene and a polar solvent, are mixed with a commercially available 55 percent solution of a melamine-formaldehyde condensate in a xylene-butanol mixture l 1 or with a commercially available hexamethylol melamine derivative, in the desired solids ratio. In order to obtain a polyester melamine resin ratio of? 3, 1 17 g. ofa 60 percent solution of the polyesters is mixed, for example, with 54.5 g. of the abovementioned melamine resin solution.

B. Preparation Of An Enamel In order to prepare an enamel, a clear varnish is pigmented with TiO in a binder: pigment ratio of 2 l.

PRODUCTION AND TESTING OF THE COATING COMPOSITIONS OF THIS INVENTION For testing purposes, the clear varnish or the enamel is applied to metal test sheets and glass plates, and baked. In order to lower the baking temperature, 0.5 percent p-toluenesulfonic acid (based on the total binder) is added to varnish solutions produced using polyesters of a low acid number. The coating thickness of the films being tested is, in all examples 40-60 g. The hardness test is conducted according to DIN 53,157, the elasticity is determined in accordance with the methods described hereinabove.

The results of Examples 1-13 are compiled in Table 1, in which the type of melamine resin employed is likewise set forth. (In the column headed Type of Melamine Resin the symbol K means that a butylated melamine-formaldehyde condensate was employed, whereas HMM indicates the use of a hexamethylol melamine derivative.)

Similar results are obtained when employing as the binder, in place of a mixture of polyester and aminoplast, as described hereinabove, a so-called plasticized aminoaldehyde resin, wherein the polyesters to be employed in accordance with the invention are added to the charge during the preparation of the aminoplast resins produced from substances containing several amino and/or amido groups and aldehydes. Coatings having similar properties are also obtained by employing, in place of the above-described mixture of aminoplast resins and polyesters, copolymers containing polymerized therein, additionally, acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters and/or styrene, as well as optionally small amounts of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, 5-35 percent by weight of N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide and/or the derivatives thereof etherified on the N-methylol group.

Table 2 contains the test values of the coatings produced from the polyesters described in the following Comparative Examples l-4.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE I 1,580 g. of the symmetrical bis(hydroxyethyl)ether of bisphenol A (5 mols) is heated with 400 g. of succinic anhydride (4 mols) for 6 hours to 180 C., with a nitrogen stream being passed through the reaction mixture. Residual amounts of water of reaction are then removed by applying a vacuum of about 20 torr. The thus-produced polyester has an acid number of 5 mg. KOH/g. The polyester is dissolved in a xylene-methyl ethyl ketone-cyclohexane mixture l l l to form a 50 percent solution.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 (Example 2 ofU.S. Pat. No. 2,460,186)

148 g. of phthalic anhydride, 146 g. of adipic acid, 278 g. of 2-ethylhexanediol-l ,3 and 1 10 ml. of xylene are heated in 4 hours to 180 C. and in another 4 hours to 200 C.; the water, as formed, is separated by way of a water trap. Thereafter, solvent is slowly distilled off over a 4.5 hour period so that finally a temperature of 240 C. is attained.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 (Example 1 from Ullmanns Encyclopaedie der technischen Chemie, 3rd Edition, Vol. 14, p. 87, Urban & Schwarzenberg, Munich-Berlin, 1963) 1,400 g. of adipic acid (9.6 mols) and 675 g. of ethylene glycol (10.9 mols) are slowly heated to l30l40 C., with a nitrogen stream being passed over the reaction mixture. In order to prevent glycol from being entrained when the water of reaction is distilled off, part of the distillate is introduced into the column as reflux. During the course of several hours, the reaction mixture is heated to 200 C., then cooled to 150 C., and the condensation is continued under a vacuum, until this reaction is terminated at 200 torr and 200 C., after 5-8 hours. The waxy polyester has a hydroxyl number of 54 mg. KOH/g. and an average molecular weight of 2,000; this polyester is dissolved in a xylene-methyl ethyl ketone mixture (1 l) to form a 50 percent solution.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4 (Example 2 from Ullmanns Encyclopaedie der technischen Chemie," 3rd Edition, Vol. 14, p. 87, Urban & Schwaizenberg, Munich-Berlin, 1963) 316 g. of adipic acid (2.16 mols), 480 g. of phthalic anhydride (3.24 mols) and 374 g. of ethylene glycol (6.5 mols) are gradually heated to l60-200 C., with a nitrogen stream being passed over the reaction mixture, until I 18 g. of distillate has passed over. Care must be taken that the transition temperature at the head of the column does not exceed C. Thereafter, another 19 g. is distilled off under an increasing vacuum over a period of 6 hours. The polyester exhibits an acid number of 3-4 mg. KOH/g. and a hydroxyl number of 56 mg. KOH/g. The polyester is dissolved in a xylene-methyl ethyl ketone-cyclohexanone mixture (1 1 1) to fonn a 50 percent solution.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

What is claimed is:

l. A hard, flexible film-forming N-methylol or N-methylol ether aminoplast-polyester coating composition comprising 50-10 percent by weight of the aminoplast component and 50-90 percent by weight of a mixture of linear polyesters having an average molecular weight of between 600 and 3,000 produced by the esterification of:

I. an alcohol mixture consisting essentially of:

1. less than 70 but at least molar percent of 1,4-

bis( hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, and

2. more than 30 and up to 70 molar percent of at least one' other aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol whose hydroxyl groups are separated by two to eight carbon atoms and contain from zero up to two oxygen atoms in the chain which are separated from each other by at least two carbon atoms, and

Il. an acid mixture consisting essentially of:

l. 91 to 33 molar percent of a cyclic acid component of at least one of phthalic acid or a functional acid derivative thereof convertible to said ester with said alcohol mixture, and

2. 9-67 molar percent of an acyclic dicarboxylic acid component, containing at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid of four to 12 carbon atoms or a functional derivative thereof convertible to an ester with said alcohol mixture.

2. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of 60-40 molar percent of 1,4- bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and 40-60 molar percent of another aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol and the acid mixture consists of 75-50 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 25-50 molar percent of the acyclic acid.

3. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the linear polyesters have an average molecular weight between- 1 ,000 and 2,500.

4. Acoating composition according to claim 1, whereinjhe acyclic dicarboxylic acid component of the acid mixture contains four to six carbon atoms.

5. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the acyclic dicarboxylic acid component of the acid mixture is adipic acid.

6. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic acid component of the acid mixture is phthalic anhydride.

7. A coating composition according to claim I, wherein the diol component of the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and ethylene glycol.

8. A coating composition according to claim 7, wherein the acid mixture consists of 75-60 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 25-40 molar percent of the acyclic acid.

9. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the diol component of the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of l,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and 1,2-propanediol.

10. A coating composition according to claim 9, wherein the acid mixture consists of 67-50 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 33-50 molar percent of the acyclic acid component.

11. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and diethylene glycol.

12. A coating composition according to claim 11, wherein the acid mixture consists of 85-70 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 15-30 molar percent of the acyclic acid component.

13. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and dipropylene glycol.

14. A coating composition according to claim 13, wherein the acid mixture consists of -60 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 20-40 molar percent of the acyclic acid component.

15. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of 60-40 percent of 1,4- bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and 40-60 molar percent of ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, diethylene glycol or dipropylene glycol, and the acid mixture consists of 75-50 molar percent of phthalic anhydride and 25-50 molar percent of adipic acid.

16. A coating composition according to claim 15, wherein the molecular weight of the polyester is between 1,000 and 2,500. 

2. more than 30 and up to 70 molar percent of at least one other aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol whose hydroxyl groups are separated by two to eight carbon atoms and contain from zero up to two oxygen atoms in the chain which are separated from each other by at least two carbon atoms, and II. an acid mixture consisting essentially of:
 2. 9-67 molar percent of an acyclic dicarboxylic acid component, containing at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid of four to 12 carbon atoms or a functional derivative thereof convertible to an ester with said alcohol mixture.
 2. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of 60-40 molar percent of 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and 40-60 molar percent of another aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol and the acid mixture consists of 75-50 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 25-50 molar percent of the acyclic acid.
 3. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the linear polyesters have an average molecular weight between 1,000 and 2,500.
 4. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the acyclic dicarboxylic acid component of the acid mixture contains four to six carbon atoms.
 5. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the acyclic dicarboxylic acid component of the acid mixture is adipic acid.
 6. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic acid component of the acid mixture is phthalic anhydride.
 7. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the diol component of the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and ethylene glycol.
 8. A coating composition according to claim 7, wherein the acid mixture consists of 75-60 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 25-40 molar percent of the acyclic acid.
 9. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the diol component of the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and 1,2-propanediol.
 10. A coating composition according to claim 9, wherein the acid mixture consists of 67-50 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 33-50 molar percent of the acyclic acid component.
 11. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and diethylene glycol.
 12. A coating composition according to claim 11, wherein the acid mixture consists of 85-70 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 15-30 molar percent of the acyclic acid component.
 13. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of a mixture of 1,4-bis-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and dipropylene glycol.
 14. A coating composition according to claim 13, wherein the acid mixture consists of 80-60 molar percent of the cyclic acid component and 20-40 molar percent of the acyclic acid component.
 15. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol mixture consists of 60-40 percent of 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and 40-60 molar percent of ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, diethylene glycol or dipropylene glycol, and the acid mixture consists of 75-50 molar percent of phthalic anhydride and 25-50 molar percent of adipic acid.
 16. A coating composition according to claim 15, wherein the molecular weight of the polyester is between 1,000 and 2,500. 